Participation: the key to learning for patients in antepartal clinics

An approach to patient education which recognized successful participation in the learning process as a key factor in providing information for antepartal clinic patients, known to be poorly motivated, was instituted without changing any system or organization and using a minimal amount of nursing and patient time. Important information on care during pregnancy, labor and delivery, and care of the newborn was shared. Group process also provided a vehicle for expression of feelings, opportunity for reassurance, and direction for particular action. The difficulties inherent in this approach to learning are recognized and recommendations are made for dealing with them.